Planning a Western hunt for my hunting mentor

[philintheblank]

Bit of a long winded story.

Growing up, my family didn't hunt at all and only fished a few times a year. I spent a number of years in my youth living in Toronto and as you can imagine, the hunting opportunity was basically non-existent. I always had an interest in hunting and fishing, not sure where it came from, but I was fascinated with the idea of it.

My Dad got posted to Trenton in my last couple years of high-school where hunting is way more prevalent. I quickly met a few kids my age that hunted and got invited out to some goose and deer hunting spots.

When Turkeys opened up in the area, my buddy Eric lined up to hunt a spot with his archery league friend, an older fella named Jim. I tagged along. We didn't shoot a turkey that day, but meeting Jim would start my road to becoming an outdoorsman.

Not sure why he took me under his wing, I guess he just liked the company, as I usually frustrated the heck outta him most days we went out.

He taught me lots about turkeys, deer, goose and duck hunting, muskie, crappy and bass fishing and was always willing to bring me along to his spots and teach my the ins and outs.

Last May I was back home for the spring turkey season and we got to talking about western hunting. He mentioned that a mule deer was on his bucket list. I laughed and asked him why it took him over 10 years to mention that! I was posted to Edmonton in March of 2009.

The one thing about Jim is that he has a really bad back. He would be laid up for a couple days after a day in the boat or a long sit in a treestand or ground blind.

So with limited mobility, I have been racking my brain to figure out a hunt that I can setup for him that won't take years of gathering priority points.

I considered buying him a guided mule deer hunt, but I don't think his ideal hunt is me dropping him off at an outfitters camp for 5 days and taking off.

He is an avid bowhunter and has taken the majority of his deer with one, so I was looking at the general areas in the South East, but walking more than a kilometer might be too much for him. I would obviously pack as much stuff for him as I can, but I just don't think he can walk that far.

If anyone has and advice, I'm all ears. His back isn't getting any better, so hopefully in the next couple years I can plan something to give him an experience that sticks with him.

[marky_mark]

Hunter host him
Lots of opportunities with a bow

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by philintheblank

Bit of a long winded story.

Growing up, my family didn't hunt at all and only fished a few times a year. I spent a number of years in my youth living in Toronto and as you can imagine, the hunting opportunity was basically non-existent. I always had an interest in hunting and fishing, not sure where it came from, but I was fascinated with the idea of it.

My Dad got posted to Trenton in my last couple years of high-school where hunting is way more prevalent. I quickly met a few kids my age that hunted and got invited out to some goose and deer hunting spots.

When Turkeys opened up in the area, my buddy Eric lined up to hunt a spot with his archery league friend, an older fella named Jim. I tagged along. We didn't shoot a turkey that day, but meeting Jim would start my road to becoming an outdoorsman.

Not sure why he took me under his wing, I guess he just liked the company, as I usually frustrated the heck outta him most days we went out.

He taught me lots about turkeys, deer, goose and duck hunting, muskie, crappy and bass fishing and was always willing to bring me along to his spots and teach my the ins and outs.

Last May I was back home for the spring turkey season and we got to talking about western hunting. He mentioned that a mule deer was on his bucket list. I laughed and asked him why it took him over 10 years to mention that! I was posted to Edmonton in March of 2009.

The one thing about Jim is that he has a really bad back. He would be laid up for a couple days after a day in the boat or a long sit in a treestand or ground blind.

So with limited mobility, I have been racking my brain to figure out a hunt that I can setup for him that won't take years of gathering priority points.

I considered buying him a guided mule deer hunt, but I don't think his ideal hunt is me dropping him off at an outfitters camp for 5 days and taking off.

He is an avid bowhunter and has taken the majority of his deer with one, so I was looking at the general areas in the South East, but walking more than a kilometer might be too much for him. I would obviously pack as much stuff for him as I can, but I just don't think he can walk that far.

If anyone has and advice, I'm all ears. His back isn't getting any better, so hopefully in the next couple years I can plan something to give him an experience that sticks with him.

Does it matter if it is a doe?

[Grizzly Adams1]

Originally Posted by marky_mark

Hunter host him
Lots of opportunities with a bow

Best way to make good memories.

Grizz

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Does it matter if it is a doe?

No but it sure expands your options given your parameters. I understand a buck would be preferred, but is harder to do as there are far fewer. A doe is far more doable in the SE if you can only walk a km.

[philintheblank]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Does it matter if it is a doe?

I'm not sure, I didn't think he could get an antlerless tag being a non-resident. Worth looking into.

[philintheblank]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

Best way to make good memories.

Grizz

Yup, for sure. I have hunter hosted family before. I am familiar with the process. My questions more revolve around the physical abilities of my mentor.

[marky_mark]

Originally Posted by philintheblank

Yup, for sure. I have hunter hosted family before. I am familiar with the process. My questions more revolve around the physical abilities of my mentor.

He’s probably best to go with you
Spending a bunch of money on a guide won’t necessarily mean that’s he’s going to have to walk or move less
In the early season it won’t be hard to watch them bed and get a vehicle within walking distance

[philintheblank]

Originally Posted by marky_mark

He’s probably best to go with you
Spending a bunch of money on a guide won’t necessarily mean that’s he’s going to have to walk or move less
In the early season it won’t be hard to watch them bed and get a vehicle within walking distance

That's a good point. Thanks!

[MyAlberta]

Mule bucks in rut have a tendency to charge well into archery distance when responding to a grunt call. Pretty exciting stuff. They have to be in the area though, so scouting makes the difference.